How do I vote in the general election on 23 July if I live abroad?

The Council of Ministers approved on 29 May the royal decree dissolving the Congress of Deputies and the Senate and calling elections for both chambers on Sunday 23 July.

How do I vote if I am a permanent resident abroad (CERA)?

Spanish nationals that are resident abroad must be registered in the Consular Register and in the Register of Non-Resident Voters (CERA). If they are not registered, they will need to do so. The current electoral roll for these elections is closed as of 1 March 2023.

Electoral roll consultation and complaints

• From 5 to 12 June, both included, an extraordinary consultation period will take place at consular offices or at the electronic headquarters of the National Statistics Institute (INE)..
  
• During this period, any voter may submit a complaint to the Provincial Branch of the Electoral Register Office at their consular office if they are excluded or included inappropriately in the electoral roll, as well as update their registration details if these have changed since 1 March 2023. Complaints must be completed in person on the official form provided by the Consular Office and be accompanied by a photocopy of one of these documents: National ID card, passport, driving licence, certificates of Spanish nationality or certificate of registration in the Consular Register.

How do I receive the electoral documentation?

Residents abroad no longer need to submit an application to vote.

The Provincial Branches of the Electoral Register Office will send the following documentation by post to the registration address of each voter between 17 and 24 June, plus the time it takes to arrive:

• Envelope bearing the address of the competent Electoral Board
• Envelope with the address of the competent Election Board
• Voting envelopes
• An electoral roll registration certificate.
• Information sheet

In a second mailing, between 28 June and 2 July, voters will receive the ballot papers, unless there are challenges to the candidates, in which case the mailing may be delayed until 8 July.

Voters will also be able to download the ballot papers from the proclamation of candidates until 20 July on the website of the National Statistics Institute.

What are the deadlines for casting my vote?

• In person: voters will be able to cast their vote in the ballot boxes set up for this purpose at their embassy, consulate or authorised centre from 15 to 20 July. Consular offices shall ensure the availability of official ballot papers at the centres, as well as voting envelopes and the computer facilities for downloading the necessary voting documents. The consular officer shall ask the voter for identification.
• Postal vote: voters may send their vote by registered post to their consular office between 27 June and 18 July. Envelopes received in the office up to and including 21 July will be valid.

How can I vote if I live abroad, but I am temporarily on holiday in Spain?

If you live abroad, are registered in the Register of Non-Resident Voters (CERA), and are temporarily in Spain during the electoral process, you can apply (like residents in Spain) to vote by post from 30 May to 13 July at any Correos office, and send your postal vote no later than 19 July.

Who can use the application for submitting the electronic postal vote application?

• Voters resident in Spain. Once the application has been submitted online, if it is accepted by the Electoral Register Office, you will not be able to vote at the polling station on polling day.
• Voters resident abroad who are temporarily in Spain, with the right to vote in the elections called.

It cannot be requested by voters resident in Spain who are temporarily abroad, nor by voters resident abroad who request it from their country of residence.

Non official translation